Extended end connection



Och 1946. T. J. HOLLENKAMP 2,409,207

EXTENDED END CONNECTION Filed Oct. 17, 1944 6 r Q "2pm VIIIIIQ l4 4 13 mm Themdmre .LHnllenkump Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EXTENDED END CONNECTKON Theodore J. Hollenkamp, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 17, 1944, Serial No. 559,109

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

9 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention pertains to a novel device for increasing the flotation of a vehicle track comprised of an endless series of successive blocks. In one of the well known constructions of the prior art, shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,314,355 of March 23, 1943, each track block has a pair of pins extending from each end thereof, and the pins of successive blocks are joined by a member known as an end connector. This member consists substantially of a link fitted on the pins of successive blocks.

The invention consists in a construction where- ,by the exposed surface area of the link is extended in the outward direction or transversely of the track. The position of the extended portion or plate is such that it is ineffective when the track rides on a hard surface. However, on a surface so soft as to permit the track to make an impression, the plate comes into contact with the ground and thus introduces additional flotation.

The flotation plate is reinforced by webs formed on its ground-facing surfaces, and these webs function as additional grousers on soft ground. Another, transverse web is preferably provided between the first named webs. This member reinforces the link and resists the spreading of the pins as the locking wedge shown in the aforementioned patent is drawn tight.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top planview of the device;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view;

Figure 4 is a section on the line i-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view.

The body of the connector includes a guide body I having two apertures 2 for receiving the pins 3 extending outward from the ends of a pair of adjacent track blocks 4. From the inner edge of the guide body I extends a guide 5, preferably formed integrally therewith, for engaging an edge of the drive sprocket, the idler sprocket and the bogie wheels as well known in the art. Connectors of this character are employed at each edge of the track, and the guides of each track block maintain the track on the several wheels.

From the outer surface of the guide body I the connector 6 extends in the form of a U-shaped amended April 30, 1928 370 O. G. 757) flange having end portions 7 which partially surround the apertures 2. The inner surfaces of the portions 1 are shaped concavely at 8 in co incidence with the outer edges of the apertures in order to flt against the pins 3 received in the apertures. The concave formation may be extended by means of inward projections 9 from the end portions 1. The top of the connector 6 is formed with a hole In to receive a stud ll carrying a wedge 12 which is tightened between the pins 2. The structure thus far described is known in the art and is shown in United States Patent No. 2,314,355.

The intermediate surface of the connector fi is extended outwardly in the form of a plate I3 having a substantially larger dimension, laterally of the track, than the connector 6 shown in Figure l. The'side portions 1 of the connector are also extended outwardly as webs l4 joined with the ground-facing surface of the plate I 3 and hav ing their lower edges l5 sloping outwardly to the lower surface of the plate. In addition, a transverse wall or web It is formed between the webs M at the outer ends of the pin-receiving recesses. The web it is preferably of triangular cross section with one of its edges merging into the plate 13 and another edge joining the inward extensions 9. The verticalface lfia of this web H5, in addition to reinforcing the plate I3, reinforces the connector 6 against the pressure of the wedge 52 as it extends between the webs M which are on opposite sides of the pins 3'.

When the track is running on a hard surface,

the extensions i3l5 are substantially ineffective. On softer ground the webs [4 function as additional grousers. If the ground is so soft as to be engaged by the plates l3, the latter introduce additional flotation in the ratio of the area of two such plates to the area of a block assembly without the extensions. By use of the extensions, the flotation of a standard track has been increased by approximately 21% with a vehicle weight increase of only 1 It will be understood that the extensions l3-15 may be welded, forged or otherwise integrally formed on the body of the connector 6, the welded operation being particularly satisfactory in modifying present constructions and thereby increasing flotation at a nominal increased cost. It is also to be noted that the advantage of added flotation can be accomplished by having the web l3 at any level with respect to the surface of the block 4 but maximum clearance on hard surfaces and freedom from distortion is accomplished in the location shown.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and been described, it will be understood that various alterations may be made without departure from the spirit of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An extended end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate, means on a surface. of said plate for connecting a pair of successive track blocks, and a flotation plate extended outwardly from said connecting means perpendicularly to said body plate and having a ground-facing surface for assisting in the flotation of the vehicle in soft earth.

2. An extended end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate, means on a surface. of said plate for connecting a pair of successive track blocks, a flotation plate extended outwardly from said connecting means perpendicularly to said body plate and having a ground-facing surface for assisting in the. flotation of the vehicle in soft. earth, and webs on said ground-facing surface and lying substantially perpendicular thereto and. to said body plate.

3. An extended end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate, means on a surface of said plate for connecting a pair of successive track b1ocks,,a flotation plate extended outwardly from said connecting means. perpendicularly to said body plate and having a ground-facing surface for assisting in the flotation of the vehicle in soft earth, Websvv on said ground-facing surface and lying substantially perpendicular thereto and to said body plate, and a transverse: web joining the firstv named webs.

4. An extended end connector for track. blocks comprising. a body plate, means on a surface of said plate for connecting a pair of successive track blocks, a. flotation plate extended outwardly from said connecting. means perpendicularly to said body plate and having av ground-facing surface for assisting in, the, flotation of the vehicle in soft earth, webs on said ground-facing surface and 1ying. substantially perpendicular thereto and. to

said body plate, and. a transverse web joining the first named webs at the. junction of said flotation plate with said means.

5. An extended end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate having a. pair. of apertures for receiving the track. block, pins of successive blocks, a substantially U-shaped connector clip extending from the outer surface of said plate and having an intermediate portion and end pieces partially enclosing said apertures to engage such block pins, and a flotation plate ex- I tended. outwardly from, said intermediate portion and having a ground-facing surface for as- 4 sisting in the flotation of the vehicle in soft earth.

6. An extended end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate having a pair of apertures for receiving the track block pins of successive blocks, a substantially U -shaped connector clip extending from the outer surface of said plate and having an intermediate portion and end pieces partially enclosing said apertures to engage such block pins, a flotation plate extended outwardly from said intermediate portion and having a ground-facing surface for assisting in the flotation of the vehicle in soft earth, and webs on. said ground-facing surface and lying substantially perpendicular thereto.

'7'. An extended end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate having a pair of apertures for receiving the track block pins of successive blocks,.a substantially U-shaped connector clip extending from the outer surface of said plate and having an intermediate portion and end pieces partially enclosing said apertures to engage such block pins, a flotation plate extended out- Wardly from said intermediate portion and having a ground-facing surface for assisting in the flotation of the vehicle in soft earth, webs on said ground-facing surface and lying substantially perpendicular thereto, and a transverse web joining the first named webs.

8. An extended end. connector for track blocks comprising a body plate having a pair of apertures for receiving the track. block pins of successive blocks, a substantially U-shaped connector clip extending from thev outer surface of said plate and having an intermediate portion and end pieces partially enclosing said apertures to, engage such block pins, a flotation plate extended outwardly from said intermediate portion and having a ground-facing surface for assisting in the flotation of the vehicle in soft earth, webs on. saidground-facing surface and lying substantially perpendicular thereto, and a transverse web joining the first named webs atv the junction of said flotation plate with. said body plate.

9. The combination with an end connector of the class described, comprising a link. adapted to extend. between and to connect the outer end portions of adjacent link pins of a pair of adjacent track, shoes, of a flotation plate carried by said link and. disposed substantially parallel to the length. of. the latter, said plate being disposed on the outer side of said link to extend outwardly therefrom outside of the connected link pins so that the area of said plate may be efiective for assisting. the associated track shoes in the flotation of the vehicle on soft earth.

THEODORE J. HOLLENKAMP. 

